Undone (The Unexpected Series Book 2)

by Marie, Amy

  “I don’t mind, Noe,” Walker says appearing next to Erin kissing her jawline. “I love getting Erin drunk.”

  I let out a sigh. “Okay, one shot. But then I’m done.” What can I say? I’m easy.

  With a roll of her eyes she hands Trent and me a shot each. “To hot guys from Starbucks that grab Noelle’s ass!” She says a bit too loudly smirking over at Trent.

  A weird look flashes quickly across his face and I give her a death glare. Damn Erin. I had almost forgotten about Jace. Almost.

  “To hot guys from Starbucks.” I toast anyways lifting my glass. Trent rolls his eyes and takes the shot with Erin and me.

  “To sexy girls who try taking sneaky pictures of hot guys at Starbucks.” My knees buckle when I feel his hot breath on the back of my neck mid-shot.

  Oh, crap!

  I turn and am met with the fierce green eyes that belong to Jace, the Starbucks God.

  The tequila burns as I spit it out all over his face.

  Trent looks between the two of us. “Noelle, this is my new neighbor, Jace,” he says hesitantly.

  You’ve got to be kidding me.

  “Spitters are quitters, Noe,” Walker says from next to me, grinning from ear to fucking ear. “You’re not a quitter are ya?”

  “Shut up, Walker,” Trent says glaring at him with eyes full of anger.

  “I warned you, Walker. I can still take you back to the pound.” I jab my finger at him before turning to Jace. “I’m so sorry, Jace! Let me get you a towel,” I say running off into Trent’s kitchen almost losing my footing along the way. Damn boots! If they didn’t pay for themselves in drinks bought for me, I’d toss them.

  Despite my mortification, I can’t help the smile that breaks out. I know I shouldn’t be happy to see him since he has a girlfriend, but he looks hotter than this morning.

  Khaki cargo shorts that make me want to just squeeze his ass and a tight black t-shirt. Nothing screams “MALE” like a t-shirt that can’t contain your muscles.

  Stalking around his kitchen, I notice Trent has moved things around. I’m irritated. I don’t like change.

  Where the hell are the towels?

  “Want some help?” Jace’s rough voice asks scaring me before I start putting everything back to where it was the last time I was here.

  I jump up as though I’m doing something wrong and slam my head on an open cabinet door.

  “Ouch, damn it! You scared the hell out of me. Don’t you know better than to sneak up on someone?” I complain attempting to stand straight up. “Can this night get any worse?”

  “It can’t be all that bad, can it?” He asks lowering his voice. “Though I can make it better for you…if you want.”

  He stares me down and slowly stalks forward like I’m his prey. I instinctively lean back against the counter bracing myself for his attack with wide eyes. He traps my body, putting hands on either side of me and whispers, “Where does it hurt?”

  I inhale his scent and almost orgasm. He smells of beer and raw male.

  “Uhm,” I stutter like a moron dragging my hands through my hair feeling for the bump. “Right here.”

  His face gets closer, and my knees get weak. When his lips pass my ear and find where my head is throbbing, he gives it a small kiss.

  “All better?” He whispers pulling back just a fraction, so I can look into his pretty green eyes. He licks his lips, and I’m jealous of his tongue. I want to do that. He brings his mouth closer to mine, but I hesitate.

  “Don’t you have a girl…”

  “What the hell, dude?” Trent yells from the kitchen entryway breaking up my trance. “Back off!”

  Trent’s chest rises and falls rapidly, and the vein in his neck is popped out. He’s furious, sexy.

  I feel as though I’m in the middle of an alpha oreo.

  “Trent, we were just looking for a towel.” I roll my eyes and gently push on Jace’s chest to get him off of me. “And ice. And Tylenol. I hit my head. I can’t find anything in this cluster fuck you call a kitchen.”

  Stomping like a kid across the kitchen he pulls out a towel and throws it towards us. His brown eyes find mine, and I see the same look I saw on Thanksgiving when Chase showed up at my house. Hurt? Anger? Disappointment?

  He reaches into the freezer for an ice pack and top cabinet for some Tylenol and starts tending to me.

  “I got her,” Trent growls at Jace.

  “For now,” Jace retorts leaving us in the kitchen.

  ~~

  It’s been a whole hour. One whole hour since I almost kissed a man with a girlfriend. It saddens me to think how easy it is to cheat. How one second can ruin someone like it did my best friend. Jace’s eyes haven’t left my body, and it almost makes me sick that he can be so brazen about it.

  Out of the corner of my eye I spot him making his way over to me at the pool table. I give him the nastiest look I can muster up. “Well, well, look who’s decided to stop eye humping me.”

  “I can do more than hump you with my eyes if you want, Noelle,” he says taking his right index finger and rubbing it down my jawline. I lift my palm and slap it away, furious.

  “Don’t touch me, Jace. I’m not that kind of girl. I don’t know where you got the idea that I was, but I don’t like to be cheated on and I won’t help someone else cheat.”

  “Huh?” His hand drops from my cheek in aggravation. “I’m a little confused here.”

  “I know you have a girlfriend and I won’t help you break her heart. I’ve seen firsthand how that can destroy someone. But I’ll help her break something of yours.” I whip my hair around hoping he will finally leave me the hell alone.

  He doesn’t, grabbing my arm and turning me back around to face him, eyes burning into mine.

  “Noelle, I don’t have a girlfriend. What gave you the idea that I do?” His expression is confused, puzzled. He doesn’t look like he is trying to bullshit me.

  “The blonde girl in your car? The one at Starbucks? She wasn’t your girlfriend?” I lace my voice with sarcasm.

  His face straightens when he realizes who I’m talking about.

  “Who? Valerie? No way!” His voice raises an octave. “She works with me. Her car was in the shop so I was on my way to take her to pick it up.”

  Well, that explains it.

  “So, no girlfriend?” I double check.

  “No.”

  “Then I guess I was wrong. I threw your number away for nothing.” I shrug like it’s no big deal but thankful that maybe I can put him into the rotation of suitors.

  “You threw my number out? Jeez, woman! Nothing like jumping to conclusions.” He laughs and then offers, “Would you like it again?”

  “Meh. I don’t know.” I shrug again internally giggling at how stunned he is. “I don’t think I do.”

  Everything comes to a halt as he takes my hand in his and kisses the top of it, entwining our fingers. Pushing me back into the pool table, he lifts my chin up with his free hand, bringing his lips a breath away from mine and whispers, “Yes, you do, but now I’m going to make you earn it.”

  My knees give way underneath me, and he has to catch me before I hit the ground.

  What the hell is wrong with my knees today? It’s got to be the hooker boots.

  “Are you okay?”

  “Yea, I just…I don’t know. Yea, I’m fine.” I compose myself and take a deep breath. “So, earn it? How exactly do I earn your number back and what if I don’t even want it? You’re kinda full of yourself.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry. Would you rather it be you that’s full of me, Noelle?” He asks getting just a millimeter closer. If he moves just a fraction more his lips will be on mine.

  I’ve never encountered such an insistent man. Usually, I am the aggressive one. I don’t like releasing control to someone else.

  His eyes dart to my mouth, and I make a show of slowly running my tongue along my bottom lip. I can see how affected he is.

  “All you have to do is play me at
pool. If you win I will give you my number, again. But if I win you get my number and I get to kiss you…anywhere I want.”

  He winks and raises his eyebrow in a challenge.

  Time to counteroffer.

  “Uhm, I have a better idea. You win you get my number, you call me and you ask me out on a date. I’ll even allow you the honor of kissing me on the cheek. If I win you have to streak through the party.”

  His face drops. “Are you serious?”

  “You seem so confident. I guess you aren’t that good of a player.” I quirk my eyebrow in curiosity. “Or are you?”

  “Oh, I’m good…at everything and you’re about to find out. Deal!” He extends his thick hands out to shake mine before I push away and saunter over to the table to get ready to break. “Do you want me to do that?”

  “No, I got it,” I say insulted. I hit the cue ball hard towards the rest of the balls. It goes flying off the side hitting Erin in the ass while her tongue is down Walker’s throat.

  They don’t get out much.

  “HEY! Noe, you hooker,” she says.

  “No, Erin. I don’t get paid for it, but I know for sure men would max out their credit cards for one night with me,” I jab back.

  She turns back around to continue her assault on her fiancé unaffected by my statement.

  Jace’s mouth is wide open, and I walk past him to retrieve the ball pushing his chin up.

  I laugh picking the ball up off the ground and hand it to him. “I’ll let you start.”

  ~~

  I pocketed the eight ball on my second turn and Jace was gracious enough to give me a redo. Bending over the table and brushing up against him any chance I got, I used my body to try to distract him. It almost worked. At one point I “accidentally” rubbed my breasts across his back while he took a shot. He missed that one but ending up making the rest. The chemistry between the two of us is electric.

  In the end, I lost. Terribly.

  “Now for that kiss.” He looks down at me pulling my body to his by my hips. “Would you like to pay up now or at my place?”

  “Hold that thought.” I place an index finger on his lips and reluctantly disconnect from his body.

  Walking over to Trent’s kitchen island I grab a post it note and pen jotting down my phone number. Two can play at this game.

  I turn giving him my bedroom eyes and stroll back over to him swaying my hips just a bit to get his attention as if I didn’t already have it.

  Peering up I seductively place the piece of paper on his chest putting a little pressure on it and slowly lower it down over his abs. His breathing deepens, and I can feel his dick harden against me. The large bulge on my stomach has me tightening my thighs. I continue my journey south, with my number in hand, finding his hip and sliding the piece of paper into his side pocket.

  Leaning up on my tiptoes, I lick the bottom of his ear repeating the same words he used this morning. “Here’s my number. Maybe you can use the picture you took this morning for your contact photo.”

  Quickly pulling my hand back I turn and walk away spotting Trent watching our interaction. Taking a pull from his beer, he motions for me to come over.

  “Wait!” Jace calls out before I reach Trent. ”You forgot the other part of our deal. I believe you owe me a kiss.”

  I unhurriedly turn back around and tilt my cheek up to him waiting for his lips to find it, but they don’t. He grabs both sides of my face forcing me to look straight at him. I see lust and need evident in his eyes as he looks down at my mouth. I lick my lips as he rubs his thumbs along my jawline. My nipples tighten, and I’m sure he can see them through my shirt. Tilting my head up, I coax him to give me what I want. His lips collide with mine, and an involuntary moan slips out opening them up just a bit. Using it to his advantage, he slips his tongue in. Everything disappears around us. I’m lost. His kiss is like a drug, and I want to be so fucking high. I’m instantly hooked, and I want more. So much more. Both of my hands come up and grab his shirt tightly bringing his body closer to mine.

  I forget where we are. Hell, I forget my name.

  I almost allow him to lay me across the pool table when I hear a commotion and yelling.

  “Trent. NO!” Erin screams.

  Breaking our kiss I turn to see what’s going on.

  It all happens in a flash. One minute I’m kissing what is probably the man who can bring me to my knees, and the next Trent’s fist is connecting with his jaw. He falls to the ground taking me with him. Our bodies turn so that I land on top of him, and his head hits the ground hard.

  “Oh shit, Noelle! Are you okay?” Trent’s panicked face is the first thing I see when I open my eyes as he’s trying to help me up off of Jace. Did he just hit him?

  “What the fuck, Trent! What the hell is wrong with you? Get off me,” I say smacking his hands away. Pulling myself up I glare at him. “Are you drunk? Jesus Christ! Why did you hit him?”

  “Noe, oh my God,” Erin says rubbing my arm as Walker pushes Trent back.

  “You fucking asshole! You almost hit Noelle!” Jace growls from next to me. Man, he got up quickly.

  He pulls me around behind him and shoves Trent’s chest. “I don’t care who the hell you are, how the hell long you have known her, or if this is your fucking house. If you ever hit me again or come close to hitting her you better be prepared because I will fucking hurt you!”

  Trent struggles against Walker’s hold and brings his chest to Jace’s. “I warned you, Jace! I told you to stay away from her.”

  “Trent!” Erin yells.

  What? Stay away from me? Who the hell does he think he is?

  “That’s it,” I scream stepping in between the two Neanderthals. Next they’ll be dragging me by my hair to their cave. “I’ve had enough of this juvenile bullshit. What has gotten into you, Trent? I’m not someone’s property and I don’t need you to protect me! I don’t need this drama.”

  The party has come to a screeching halt as everyone circles around us. Spotting my purse, phone and Walker’s keys on the end table I turn away from all of them. I collect my shit and head out the door.

  “Noelle! Wait!” Erin calls out. She’s running towards me attempting not to fall on her ass. She’s had a few drinks tonight and her tolerance is low. I stop to make sure a trip to the ER is not in our future. “You can’t leave it like this.”

  “Well, I’m not staying here, Erin. I don’t know why he did that but all we were doing was having a little fun and he hits Jace? He could have hurt me in the process. He almost did if it wasn’t for Jace.” I take a deep breath looking around. “Everyone has just had a bit too much to drink. I just want to go home now. Please.”

  Angry tears start to blur my vision. I never cry. What a shitty night.

  “Sure, Noe. We can go,” she says in a small voice leaving me to go inside and hopefully get Walker.

  I didn’t realize how hard I was holding onto his keys until I saw the indention from his key chain. Walking over to the truck with my head down, I am shocked by what just happened. I don’t understand Trent. He is such a hot head.

  “Noelle, hold up a second,” Jace calls from behind me. “Can I talk to you?”

  “I don’t want to talk about this right now, Jace. I need to go home. I’m tired. I just want to go to bed.” I can’t look at him. I don’t want him to see me crying, but my shaky voice gives me away.

  “Noelle, don’t cry. Hey, why don’t you come over to my house?” Both of his hands are rubbing my arms like he is trying to keep me warm despite the heated temperature. I shake my head no.

  “Then take my number.” He grabs the phone from me types his number in and hands it back over. “You have my number again. Please use it. I don’t know what is going on here, but I do know that I want to see you again. I have to see you again.” His hands grab my chin gently forcing me to look into his eyes.

  “Okay, Jace. Let me think about it. I need to get home now though. Thank you for not letting me get hurt. I’m
so sorry,” I say in barely a whisper looking back down to the ground.

  This is not me. I’m a strong woman and I don’t let men get to me, but this feels different. Like a huge shift in my life has occurred.

  He grabs my chin lifting my head to look into his eyes. “You are not the one that should be apologizing. Trent should and I’ll make sure he does. And Noelle, please call me.”

  Pulling myself away I slide into the back seat without responding.

  Walker and Erin get in and I pass Walker the keys.

  “Noe?” Erin’s voice is hesitant. I turn my head away from the window and notice a torn look on her face.

  “Yea?”

  “Nevermind.”

  Walker puts the car in reverse without a word and pulls out of the driveway. Looking out the back window as we leave I can see Trent and almost feel his sad eyes watching. I couldn’t care less right now. Taking the turn to head home Erin turns up the volume on the radio, and I stare off into the distance.

  I walk up the sidewalk to the house I love after a quiet goodbye from Erin and Walker. This place has become my sanctuary. It’s clean, organized and everything is the way I like it. After Erin moved out this past December, I was free to do what I wanted with it, and I wanted it to be perfect. Not that she was messy, but it’s nice to live on my own after almost ten years of having a roommate.

  As you walk in you’re welcomed with a large open spaced living room, dining room and kitchen area. The living room is filled with lavender, black and white accents with the most comfortable sofa you will ever lay on next to my very own La-Z girl recliner. I replaced our love seat because I had to have that chair. Every girl wants to grab a glass of wine and sit in one of those bad girls and read about hot ass book men on her kindle…when she isn’t banging a real life one.

  The kitchen isn’t that big, but the island makes a great bar to sit at when you want to be casual. Erin and I have had plenty of late night chats at that bar. Heart to hearts, laughs and a lot of tears…and bottles upon bottles of tequila. We have been through some crazy shit.

  Now she is engaged and has a beautiful daughter. I’m lucky enough to not only be her best friend but also her wedding planner. I’m not sure she knew what she was asking when she did. I’m a perfectionist and sometimes it drives Erin insane. She loves me though.